Linn State drug testing ruled unconstitutional

A federal judge has ruled that a mid-Missouri technical college's mandatory drug testing policy is unconstitutional when applied to most students.

U.S. District Judge Nanette K. Laughrey in Jefferson City on Friday sided with the American Civil Liberties Union, which sued Linn State Technical College on behalf of six students.

Linn State attorney Kent Brown had not yet read the ruling, but said any ruling against the school would be appealed.

In 2011, Linn State began drug-testing all first-year students and some returning students for cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone and eight other drugs. The college collected samples from about 500 students.

The ruling prohibits the drug testing, requires a refund of the $50 each student had to pay for the tests, and requires their urine samples to be destroyed or returned.